Balsamorhiza sagittata
Balsamorhiza sagittata (Pursh) Nutt.
Asteraceae
Description: Arrowleaf balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata) is a cool-season, native, perennial forb 1 to 2 feet (0.3-0.6 m) in height. Its fruit is a 4-angled, thickened, smooth, hairless achene. Basal leaves are cordate to sagittate in outline with entire margins and wooly pubescence. Flowerheads are sunflower-like with strap-shaped ray flowers 1 to 2 inches (2.5-5 cm) long and tubular disc flowers. Flowers are mostly solitary on long peduncles and the cauline leaves are mostly lanceolate, alternate, and much smaller than the basal leaves.
Notes: Native Americans prepared medicin from the roots. Native Americans also used to eat the roots, seeds, and young shoots. Cooking the interior Salish pit of the flower can provide a highly digestible source of carbohydrate energy.
Location: Balsamroot can be found growing in sandy plains, forest openings, valleys, foothills, woodlands, and mountain ranges. It prefers well drained, dry to moist soils, and full sun. Arrowleaf balsamroot is very drought tolerant. It occurs between 1,000 and 9,000 feet in elevation. It can be found in these US states: AZ, CA, CO, ID, MT, ND, NV, OR, SD, UT, WA, WY and in Canada: AB, BC
